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Introduction. There is evidence of a connection between infectious and inflammatory lesions of the lower urinary tract and bladder cancer (BCa). However, there is virtually no data on the urine microbiota of middle-aged and elderly men with suspected BCa. This knowledge is extremely important from the point of view of studying the role of the infectious-inflammatory hypothesis in the genesis of BCa.Objective. To conduct a comparative assessment of the microbiota of bladder urine obtained during natural urination and bladder catheterization through standard and extended cultural studies in men with a presumptive diagnosis of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).Materials & methods. The prospective comparative study with consecutive patient recruitment included 23 men older than 45 years with suspected NMIBC based on clinical, laboratory and sonographic data, as well as with no history of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract, including sexually transmitted infections and recurrent infections of other organs and systems. A midstream urine samples and catheter-drained urine immediately before urethrocystoscopy were subjected to bacteriological analysis. Urine culture study was carried out using a standard set of nutrient media under aerobic cultivation conditions and an expanded set of nutrient media under aerobic and anaerobic cultivation conditions.Results. An anaerobic spectrum of microorganisms was predominantly detected in the urine of patients with suspected NMIBC. Moreover, Peptococcus spp. was more often found among anaerobic taxa. (70%), Eubacterium spp., Propionibacterium spp. (45% each, respectively), among representatives of the aerobes — Corynebacterium spp. (60%), S. lentus (up to 45%), S. haemolyticus (35%) and E. faecalis (30%). Data from a comparative analysis of the detection frequencies of microorganisms depending on the method of collecting material and the set of media for cultivation showed that more isolates are isolated in the midstream urine samples than in the study of catheter urine (2.9- and 1.9-fold with the standard and extended sets of media, respectively). In addition, when performing an extended bacteriological study compared to the standard method, the detection of microorganisms is 3.5-fold higher when examining an average portion of urine and 5.1-fold higher when examining catheter urine. The average number of microorganisms per one patient is also higher when using the extended method (midstream portion — 4.7 ± 1.9; catheterised urine — 2.3 ± 1.0) in comparison with the standard one (midstream portion — 1.3 ± 0.9; catheterised urine — 0.3 ± 0.5).Conclusion. Middle-aged and older men with NMIBC are characterized by asymptomatic bacteriuria in the form of a wide range of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. The urine pattern obtained with a urethral catheter contains a significantly narrower range of bacteria compared to the sample obtained through natural urination. It is advisable to carry out an extended cultural urine examination to study the characteristics of the microbiota / microbiome of the urine of the bladder immediately before the urethrocystoscopy procedure by collecting urine with a urethral catheter.

The chiral magnetic effect (CME) is a phenomenon that arises from the QCD anomaly in the presence of an external magnetic field. The experimental search for its evidence has been one of the key goals of the physics program of the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider. The STAR Collaboration has previously presented the results of a blind analysis of isobar collisions (_{44}^{96}Ru+_{44}^{96}Ru, _{40}^{96}Zr+_{40}^{96}Zr) in the search for the CME. The isobar ratio (Y) of CME-sensitive observable, charge separation scaled by elliptic anisotropy, is close to but systematically larger than the inverse multiplicity ratio, the naive background baseline. This indicates the potential existence of a CME signal and the presence of remaining nonflow background due to two- and three-particle correlations, which are different between the isobars. In this postblind analysis, we estimate the contributions from those nonflow correlations as a background baseline to Y, utilizing the isobar data as well as Heavy Ion Jet Interaction Generator simulations. This baseline is found consistent with the isobar ratio measurement, and an upper limit of 10% at 95% confidence level is extracted for the CME fraction in the charge separation measurement in isobar collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV.

Introduction. The main treatment option for malignant neoplasms of the head and neck is combined. However, survival rates are still relatively unchanged. The surgical stage of treatment leads to extensive defects that are eliminated through reconstructive technologies. Despite the priority of performing reconstruction at the same time, delayed reconstructions are still being discussed 6–12 months after surgical treatment; therefore, it is necessary to develop new methodological and practical approaches.Aim. To determine the features of the delayed reconstructive-plastic stage in patients with malignant tumors maxillofacial region, evaluation of possible solutions for optimizing the stage.Material and methods. The analysis of available literature sources was taken in the database Medline, Pubmed, eLibrary, etc. The 101 studies were found, 60 were used to write a systematic review.Results. Delayed reconstructive plastic surgery should take into the possibility more complex and larger defects of soft and bone tissues during the reconstructive stage, previous surgery and/or radiation therapy create significant difficulties for the identification of recipient vessels. Computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) technologies allow projecting the design and positioning of reconstructive material at the preoperative stage. Mandibular reconstruction is the most difficult, that isn’t achieve only an aesthetic result, but also to restore the biomechanics of the temporomandibular joint. The development of specific complications hinders the improvement of the patient’s quality of life. In the early postoperative period is may develop necrosis of the flap, thrombosis of vascular pedicle, hematoma; in the late postoperative period plate extrusion is still one of the common complications, planning delayed reconstruction an important aspect is prevention or treatment of osteoradionecrosis. The combination of precarbohydrate loading and dalargin will allow to reduce the frequency of perioperative complications and improve the long-term results of surgical treatment.Conclusion. Reconstructive treatment in patients with defects requiring postponed reconstructive surgeries is a complex problem which requires development of an integrated approach with detailed analysis of the existing defect and previous antitumor therapy.

Introduction. The surgical stage of treatment is the most important component of the combined method of treatment in cancer patients. However, it is associated with the development of a number of complications caused by stress. In this regard, the modern concept of an anesthesiological manual should also be aimed at protecting the body from surgical stress, which requires the search and development of new gentle methods of anesthesia.Aim. To provide an overview of modern stress protection methods in anesthesia and consider the role of dalargin with carbohydrate loading as a component of stress protection in oncological surgery.Materials and methods. Using the electronic resources of the PubMed and eLibrary search engines, a literary review of 147 scientific papers over the past 30 years has been conducted, which contain an evidence-based experimental and clinical base on the use of dalargin in medical practice.Results. A systematic review of stress protection methods in anesthesiology is presented. The role of dalargin in anesthesiological practice during surgical treatment in cancer patients, including when performing delayed reconstructions, is shown.Conclusion. The use of dalargin in combination with carbohydrate loading in cancer patients is justified and requires further detailed study. The ability to stimulate endogenous opioid receptors and modulate pain perception, its organoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as a favorable safety profile make dalargin a valuable addition to the tools for anesthesia in oncology.

Introduction. The adverse effects of urine on unadapted tissues are known. This is also entirely relevant for buccal grafts used in augmentation urethroplasty, where these effects have not been thoroughly studied so far.Objective. To assess the ongoing pathomorphosis in buccal grafts used for urethral augmentation of extensive strictures in the bulbous region and to evaluate how much urine influences their histological transformation following surgery.Materials & methods. The study included 15 patients with extensive strictures of the bulbous urethra, who underwent a two-stage augmentation urethroplasty with buccal grafts. The grafts pathomorphosis was studied 6 months after the first surgery stage where urethrotomy had been performed with graft augmentation of the dorsal semicircle and the formation of distal and proximal neomeatuses. Natural urination through the latter was restored on days 14 – 20 following the surgery. During the second stage, six months later, urethral tubularisation was performed with two preliminary biopsies of the proximal and distal segments of the grafts implanted in the areas of the neomeatuses formed earlier. The distal area of the graft had no contact with urine, while this contact has occurred in the proximal segment since restoration of natural urination. In biopsy specimens, pathomorphosis of the grafts was studied using immunohistochemical markers: vimentin, clone SRL33; CD34, clone QBEnd/10; MSA HHF-35; СD3, clone LN10; Bcl-2, clone bcl-2\100\D5; CK-HMW 34BE-12.Results. It was found that inflammation was minimal in areas of grafts implanted that had no contact with urine, while in areas where such contact occurred it was verified to be pronounced even 6 months after the operation. On the submucosal level, this was manifested by an uneven arrangement of collagen fibers, a dysplastically developed vascular network, uneven proliferation of the endothelium with swelling and loss of cellular connectivity, in contrast to areas where there was no contact with urine. In such areas, the graft submucosa had a dense collagen framework with organized microvasculature and uniform epithelial surface.Conclusion. The impact of urine on buccal grafts used in augmentation urethroplasty is characterised by the disorganisation of its collagen framework, with a pronounced inflammatory component and the “reactivity” of the epithelial lining to the “toxic agent” that persists even 6 months after surgery. This may underlie the risk of a stenosis relapse in the proximal anastomosis area.

Central pontine myelinolysis is a disease characterized by acute death of myelin sheaths cells in the central part of the pontine pons while maintaining the structural composition of neurons. The word "pontine" indicates the region of the bridge of the brain (pons - pons, region of the brain), and "myelinolysis" refers to the process of destruction of the myelin of the nerve cells of the bridge. The death of brain cells in this pathology is facilitated by an electrolyte imbalance and a sharp change in oncotic pressure. Central pontine myelinolysis often develops in patients suffering from alcoholism, malnutrition, cancer, infections, and other conditions that dramatically disrupt the electrolyte balance of the body. The purpose of this work is to describe a clinical case provoked by a new coronovirus infection COVID-19, which aggravated the course of the disease. The untimely neuroimaging and late seeking medical help also contributed to the poor outcome. As a result of the analysis of this case, a conclusion was made about the need for clinical alertness of pontine myelinolysis and the use of the necessary diagnostic measures, such as neuroimaging methods and the study of metabolic markers. Previously, this rare disease with a poor outcome has not been described in a correlation with coronavirus infection. In connection with the diagnosis established in the early stages and the therapy prescribed in accordance with it, it is possible to limit or prevent the complications of the disease.

The deconfined quark-gluon plasma (QGP) created in relativistic heavy-ion collisions enables the exploration of the fundamental properties of matter under extreme conditions. Noncentral collisions can produce strong magnetic fields on the order of 10^{18} G, which offers a probe into the electrical conductivity of the QGP. In particular, quarks and antiquarks carry opposite charges and receive contrary electromagnetic forces that alter their momenta. This phenomenon can be manifested in the collective motion of final-state particles, specifically in the rapidity-odd directed flow, denoted as v_{1}(y). Here, we present the charge-dependent measurements of dv_{1}/dy near midrapidities for π^{±}, K^{±}, and p(p[over ¯]) in Au+Au and isobar (_{44}^{96}Ru+_{44}^{96}Ru and _{40}^{96}Zr+_{40}^{96}Zr) collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV, and in Au+Au collisions at 27 GeV, recorded by the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The combined dependence of the v_{1} signal on collision system, particle species, and collision centrality can be qualitatively and semiquantitatively understood as several effects on constituent quarks. While the results in central events can be explained by the u and d quarks transported from initial-state nuclei, those in peripheral events reveal the impacts of the electromagnetic field on the QGP. Our data put valuable constraints on the electrical conductivity of the QGP in theoretical calculations.

Abstract Uniform quasi-one-dimensional integer spin compounds are of interest as a potential realization of the Haldane conjecture of a gapped spin liquid. This phase, however, has to compete with magnetic anisotropy and long-range ordered phases, the implementation of which depends on the ratio of interchain J′ and intrachain J exchange interactions and both uniaxial D and rhombic E single-ion anisotropies. Strontium nickel selenite chloride, Sr2Ni(SeO3)2Cl2, is a spin-1 chain system which passes through a correlations regime at T max ~ 12 K to long-range order at T N = 6 K. Under external magnetic field it experiences the sequence of spin-flop at B c1 = 9.0 T and spin-flip transitions B c2 = 23.7 T prior to full saturation at B sat = 31.0 T. Density functional theory provides values of the main exchange interactions and uniaxial anisotropy which corroborate the experimental findings. The values of J′/J = 0.083 and D/J = 0.357 place this compound into a hitherto unoccupied sector of the Sakai-Takahashi phase diagram.

Biosimilars are biological drug products that have an equivalent clinical profile with innovator biotherapeutics but are developed under a reduced program. To this end, specific comparability approaches are followed based on reverse engineering that involves a thorough analysis of the innovator biotherapeutics and the development of the version of the latter, which should be as much as possible similar with respect to structural and functional characteristics with the innovator. This approach includes the evaluation and comparison between the biosimilar and innovator biologic with respect to the molecular structure and impurity profile and of biological activity in in vitro settings as well as pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and immunogenicity characteristics on human subjects. Where considered necessary, animal studies or phase 3 clinical studies might be performed when residual uncertainties remain in terms of biosimilarity, that could not have been resolved in the previous tests and trials. Any potentially inevitable differences should be insignificant for safety and efficacy. The state-of-the-art methods of biotechnology and analytics, when applied in line with the appropriate scientific and regulatory requirements, can allow developing similar biologics where no difference in the clinical profile exists with the respective innovator product. Available experience demonstrates the lack of major problems due to the incomparability between the biosimilar and corresponding reference biologics when applicable scientific standards and regulatory recommendations are met.

Aim. Determine whether bone mineral density (BMD) assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry can be used as predictor of increased risk of death in hemodialysis patients. Materials and methods. A prospective study was performed of 516 patients with chronic kidney disease treated with hemodialysis (men 265, women 251, mean age 44.811.4 years) who were observed for 5.73.2 years. Before inclusion in the study, in all patients was analyzed bone mineral density using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in three standard departments: lumbar vertebrae, proximal femur and distal forearm. The probability analysis of the outcome was carried out using the KaplanMeier method and Cox. Results. During follow-up period 111 (21.5%) patients died, 50.5% from cardiovascular events. Survival analysis by KaplanMeier method allowed to prove the increased risk of death from cardiovascular pathology in hemodailysis patients with low bone mineral density of all evaluated areas. Step-by-step multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the T score of the femur, showing the difference of BMD of the patient with normal value of BMD for young adult, had the greatest prognostic significance. Conclusion. Reduced bone mineral density in patients receiving hemodialysis is associated with an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry can be used for assessment of this risk.

Abstract We report on the measurement of the Central Exclusive Production of charged particle pairs h + h − (h = π, K, p) with the STAR detector at RHIC in proton-proton collisions at s $$ \sqrt{s} $$ = 200 GeV. The charged particle pairs produced in the reaction pp → p′ + h + h − + p′ are reconstructed from the tracks in the central detector and identified using the specific energy loss and the time of flight method, while the forward-scattered protons are measured in the Roman Pot system. Exclusivity of the event is guaranteed by requiring the transverse momentum balance of all four final-state particles. Differential cross sections are measured as functions of observables related to the central hadronic final state and to the forward-scattered protons. They are measured in a fiducial region corresponding to the acceptance of the STAR detector and determined by the central particles’ transverse momenta and pseudorapidities as well as by the forward-scattered protons’ momenta. This fiducial region roughly corresponds to the square of the four-momentum transfers at the proton vertices in the range 0.04 GeV2 < −t 1 , −t 2 < 0.2 GeV2, invariant masses of the charged particle pairs up to a few GeV and pseudorapidities of the centrally-produced hadrons in the range |η| < 0.7. The measured cross sections are compared to phenomenological predictions based on the Double Pomeron Exchange (DPE) model. Structures observed in the mass spectra of π + π − and K + K − pairs are consistent with the DPE model, while angular distributions of pions suggest a dominant spin-0 contribution to π + π − production. For π + π − production, the fiducial cross section is extrapolated to the Lorentz-invariant region, which allows decomposition of the invariant mass spectrum into continuum and resonant contributions. The extrapolated cross section is well described by the continuum production and at least three resonances, the f 0(980), f 2(1270) and f 0(1500), with a possible small contribution from the f 0(1370). Fits to the extrapolated differential cross section as a function of t 1 and t 2 enable extraction of the exponential slope parameters in several bins of the invariant mass of π + π − pairs. These parameters are sensitive to the size of the interaction region.

The therapeutic efficacy of Viferon® (suppositories of human recombinant interferon alfa-2) was investigated in a double-blind controlled study with the use of Arbidol® as a reference drug in the treatment of patients with influenza. Viferon® and Arbidol® lowered the signs of the fever, intoxication, catarrh and the disease as the whole.

Improvement of patients` knowledge about their disease is an important part of management of chronic diseases. One of the effective methods to increase the level of medical education of the population is to hold regular meetings with patients within the framework of «schools for patients». Urolithiasis is one of the most common urological diseases (3.5‒9.6% of the population). In addition to its high prevalence, Urolithiasis has a high recurrence rate (50‒75% over 5‒10 years). The most common prostate diseases are prostatitis, benign hyperplasia, and cancer. These diseases have a chronic course and require а long-term observation. Treatment of urolithiasis and prostatic diseases is one of the priority fields for the urology department of the Pavlov First St. Petersburg State Medical University. In addition to surgical treatment, the specialists of urology department take measures aimed at prevention of recurrence and complications of these diseases. Schools for patients with urolithiasis and prostate diseases are held every 3 months. The topics for discussion are chosen by the patients themselves. In addition to reports, patients undergo ultrasound of the kidneys, bladder and prostate, as well as consultations. Participation in schools of patients creates a conscious attitude to their disease, increases adherence to treatment and improves the prognosis of the disease. The distribution of such programs corresponds to the modern concept of preventive medicine and increases the efficiency of providing medical care to the population.

A radionuclide generator of the short-lived alpha emitter 226Th was proposed. An original scheme consisting of two in-series chromatographic columns was developed for rapidly producing a neutral citric-buffered eluate of high purity 226Th. The first column filled with TEVA resin retained the parent 230U, while 226Th was eluted with 7 M HCl solution to be immediately adsorbed on the second column containing DGA resin or UTEVA resin. Having substituted the strongly acidic medium of second column with neutral salt solution, 226Th was desorbed with diluted citric buffer solution. One cycle of generator milking took 5–7 min and produced >90% of 226Th in 1.5 mL of eluate (pH 4.5–5.0) appropriate for direct use in radiopharmaceutical synthesis. The 230U impurity in 226Th eluate was less than 0.01%. The proposed two-column 230U/226Th generator was tested over 2 months including a second loading of 230U additionally accumulated from 230Pa.

In order to evaluate the initial requirements for a coolant when designing an installation for obtaining the energy of the “water – ice” phase transition, it is necessary to conduct experimental studies on the thermophysical and electrophysical parameters of the coolant. The type of chosen coolant determines the power of the developed installation. (Research purpose) Experimental determination of the thermophysical and electrophysical parameters of the coolant when exposed to an electromagnetic field of super-high frequency, with the prospect of using this coolant in the developed installation. (Materials and methods) The authors used water and a saline solution of sodium chloride at a concentration of 1–20 percent as a coolant in the developed experimental installation for obtaining the energy of the “water-ice” phase transition. When exposed to an electromagnetic field of super-high frequency (microwave oven Mystery MMW-2315G) with a power of 800 watts and a magnetron frequency of 2450 megahertz, the treatment time was alternatively set at 30, 60 and 120 seconds. Measurements were taken of freezing temperature, pH of water and solutions, electrical conductivity, and salt concentration. (Results and discussion) It has been found that when a super-high-frequency electromagnetic field affects a sodium chloride solution at a concentration of 20 percent, its freezing temperature decreases from 16.6 degrees Celsius below zero to 18.5 degrees Celsius below zero, for a eutectic solution - from 21.2 degrees Celsius below zero to 25 degrees Celsius below zero, while pH and salt concentration increase, and specific electrical conductivity decreases as well. (Conclusions) The authors have selected an optimal coolant for the developed experimental installation: a saline solution of sodium chloride at a concentration of 20 percent and a freezing temperature of 16.6 degrees Celsius below zero. It is recommended to provide additional capacity for the electrophysical treatment of the coolant. It has been determined that after the super-high frequency electromagnetic treatment, the freezing temperature of the saline solution dropped to 18.5 degrees Celsius below zero.

An instrumental aerial survey was conducted in the Russian part of the Chukchi Sea and the eastern East-Siberian Sea in the spring of 2016 to investigate new technical capabilities for estimating abundance and distribution of ringed and bearded seals on the spring ice. Density of both species decreased with distance to the mainland; the largest concentrations of ringed seals were detected in coastal waters, including the Koluchinskaya and Chaunskaya Bays. Taking into account the portion of seals in the water (on average 32 %) and the portion of seals that were disturbed by the aircraft engine noise and dove (on average 30.2 % of ringed seals and 5.9 % of bearded seals), the number of ringed seals in the surveyed area was estimated as 50,839 (СI 95 %: 25,400–73,859; CV = 23.8 %), and the number of bearded seals as 14,590 (CI 95 %: 6,404–24,560; CV = 31.1 %). These estimates are considered to be biased low, primarily due to asynchronic collapse of the ringed seal snow lairs in different parts of the surveyed area, which caused a highly variable detection probability of this species that was difficult to account for.

Polar bears are of international conservation concern due to climate change but are difficult to study because of low densities and an expansive, circumpolar distribution. In a collaborative U.S.-Russian effort in spring of 2016, we used aerial surveys to detect and estimate the abundance of polar bears on sea ice in the Chukchi Sea. Our surveys used a combination of thermal imagery, digital photography, and human observations. Using spatio-temporal statistical models that related bear and track densities to physiographic and biological covariates (e.g., sea ice extent, resource selection functions derived from satellite tags), we predicted abundance and spatial distribution throughout our study area. Estimates of 2016 abundance ([Formula: see text]) ranged from 3,435 (95% CI: 2,300-5,131) to 5,444 (95% CI: 3,636-8,152) depending on the proportion of bears assumed to be missed on the transect line during Russian surveys (g(0)). Our point estimates are larger than, but of similar magnitude to, a recent estimate for the period 2008-2016 ([Formula: see text]; 95% CI 1,522-5,944) derived from an integrated population model applied to a slightly smaller area. Although a number of factors (e.g., equipment issues, differing platforms, low sample sizes, size of the study area relative to sampling effort) required us to make a number of assumptions to generate estimates, it establishes a useful lower bound for abundance, and suggests high spring polar bear densities on sea ice in Russian waters south of Wrangell Island. With future improvements, we suggest that springtime aerial surveys may represent a plausible avenue for studying abundance and distribution of polar bears and their prey over large, remote areas.

Motor and non-motor symptoms are identified in the clinical picture of Parkinson's disease (PD). Among its non-motor manifestations, cognitive impairment (CI) and emotional disorders play a special role in PD. It is important to search for new forms and methods of cognitive therapy in patients with PD.Objective: to analyze neuropsychological status and quality of life (QOL) in PD patients and to evaluate the efficiency of personalized combination therapy with a stimulating cognitive motor training on computer and mobile devices in these patients.Patients and methods. The investigation enrolled 112 patients with PD. A study group included 56 PD patients who received a cycle of combination therapy with cognitive-motor training on PC and mobile devices; a control group consisted of 56 PD patients who had only a drug therapy cycle. To evaluate neuropsychological status and QOL, the investigators used the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the McNair and Kahn memory self-evaluation scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire.Results and discussion. According to MoCA scores, CI of varying severity was diagnosed in the majority of patients: in 75 and 80.4% in the study and control groups, respectively. Depressive syndrome was detected in 53.6 and 64.3% in these groups, respectively. According to the SF-36, the physical status of patients had the greatest effect in reducing their QOL. There were treatment-induced statistically significant positive changes for the following domains: physical functioning (p

Laparoscopic (including robot-assisted) radical prostatectomy has become an alternative to open radical retropubic surgery. The main surgical techniques for reducing the period of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy are aimed at preserving, reconstructing and strengthening the structures that provide a complex mechanism for urine retention, namely, the pubo-prostate-vesicular ligaments, bladder neck, Denonvilliers` fascia, in procuring the functional length of the urethra, etc. Despite advances in the study of urinary continence mechanism there exists a large number of problems that need to be discussed. Therefore, researchers continue to search for solutions to create an optimal technique that ensures the earliest possible of urine retention, which is one of the main tasks in the social and medical rehabilitation of a patient who has undergone radical prostatectomy. This article describes the main modern techniques and methods for performing radical laparoscopic prostatectomy, which are aimed at achieving the earliest possible recovery of the urine retention mechanism.

Abundance and density distribution of four seal species (ringed, ribbon, spotted, and bearded) on spring ice was estimated based on the data from two instrumental aerial surveys in the western Bering Sea in April-May 2012 and April 2013 and compared with the previously published values. The number of ringed seals on ice was about 61,000, they were rather evenly distributed in the southern, middle and northern parts of the Russian EEZ in the Bering Sea. The estimated number of ribbon seals was about 62,000 in 2012, but only 15,000 in 2013. The number of bearded seals was estimated as 42,000 animals. The abundance and density distribution of spotted seals was shown to be a subject of significant interannual fluctuations with the maximum of about 97,000 individuals. The spotted or ribbon seals were not found in the Anadyr Bay, but importance of the Karaginsky Bay for reproduction of the phocid seals was confirmed. A large population of spotted seals was concentrated there and the ringed and bearded seals were presented there in the highest recorded density. Effectiveness of the instrumental aerial survey method application for assessing abundance and distribution of seals on sea ice was demonstrated. However, in order to estimate the real population abundance, it is essential to apply correction coefficients allowing to account for behavioural and migration processes predefining the proportion of seals available for detection.

We compare the upper critical field of bulk single-crystalline samples of the two intrinsic transition metal dichalcogenide superconductors, 2H-NbSe _2 and 2H-NbS _2 , in high magnetic fields where their layer structure is aligned strictly parallel and perpendicular to the field, using magnetic torque experiments and a high-precision piezo-rotary positioner. While both superconductors show that orbital effects still have a significant impact when the layer structure is aligned parallel to the field, the upper critical field of NbS _2 rises above the Pauli limiting field and forms a Fulde–Ferrell–Larkin–Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state, while orbital effects suppress superconductivity in NbSe _2 just below the Pauli limit, which excludes the formation of the FFLO state. From the out-of-plane anisotropies, the coherence length perpendicular to the layers of 31 Å in NbSe _2 is much larger than the interlayer distance, leading to a significant orbital effect suppressing superconductivity before the Pauli limit is reached, in contrast to the more 2D NbS _2 .

A series of six seven-coordinate pentagonal-bipyramidal (PBP) erbium complexes, with acyclic pentadentate [N3O2] Schiff-base ligands, 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis-(4-methoxybenzoylhydrazone) [H2DAPMBH], or 2,6-diacethylpyridine bis(salicylhydrazone) [H4DAPS], and various apical ligands in different charge states were synthesized: [Er(DAPMBH)(C2H5OH)Cl] (1); [Er(DAPMBH)(H2O)Cl]·2C2H5OH (2); [Er(DAPMBH)(CH3OH)Cl] (3); [Er(DAPMBH)(CH3OH)(N3)] (4); [(Et3H)N]+[Er(H2DAPS)Cl2]− (5); and [(Et3H)N]+[Y0.95Er0.05(H2DAPS)Cl2]− (6). The physicochemical properties, crystal structures, and the DC and AC magnetic properties of 1–6 were studied. The AC magnetic measurements revealed that most of Compounds 1–6 are field-induced single-molecule magnets, with estimated magnetization energy barriers, Ueff ≈ 16–28 K. The experimental study of the magnetic properties was complemented by theoretical analysis based on ab initio and crystal field calculations. An experimental and theoretical study of the magnetism of 1–6 shows the subtle impact of the type and charge state of the axial ligands on the SMM properties of these complexes.

Iron-based superconductors: Hidden nematic and magnetic fluctuations in iron selenide Ultrafast spectroscopy unveils hidden nematic fluctuations and a spin subsystem in the iron-based superconductor iron selenide. Layered iron-based materials recently emerged as a new class of high temperature superconductor. The mechanism of superconductivity in these materials, however, is a contentious issue. Nematic ordering is thought to be a key ingredient, but the apparent absence of magnetic ordering in iron selenide, which is the iron-based superconductor with the simplest structure, has caused confusion over what drives the nematicity. An international team of researchers led by Chih-Wei Luo and Jenh-Yih Juang from National Chiao Tung University use polarized ultrafast spectroscopy to unveil a hidden spin subsystem in FeSe, along with both nematic and magnetic fluctuations at relatively high temperatures, providing insights into the driving factors of nematicity in this fascinating material.

Utilizing a novel method with the resonance frequency of a LC circuit, we measured the superconducting anisotropy of single crystals of an Fe-based superconductor FeSe with applied magnetic field up to 16 T. We found that the temperature dependence of the upper critical field Hc2(T) of FeSe coincides with the Werthamer-Helfand-Hohenberg (WHH) model when taking the Maki parameter α into consideration, suggesting an important role played by spin-paramagnetic effect in suppressing the superconductivity. When temperature T → 0, the values of Hc2,∥c(0) and Hc2,∥ab(0) derived from the WHH fitting are close to and fall within the range of the Pauli limit, for field H0 applied parallel to the c-axis and to the ab-plane, respectively. As compared with other typical iron-based high-Tc superconductors, lower values of Hc2(0) and higher superconducting anisotropy Γ(0) were observed in FeSe.

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) with immobilized gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) belong to a class of nanocomposite materials whose physical properties and applications depend on the geometry of arrangements of the plasmonic nanoparticles on HNT’ surfaces. We explore HNTs:(Au, Ag)-NPs as potential nano-templates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The structure and plasmonic properties of nanocomposites based on HNTs and Au- and Ag-NPs are studied by means of the transmission electron microscopy and optical spectroscopy. The optical extinction spectra of aqueous suspensions of HNTs:(Au, Ag)-NPs and spatial distributions of the electric fields are simulated, and the simulation results demonstrate the corresponding localized plasmonic resonances and numerous “hot spots” of the electric field nearby those NPs. In vitro experiments reveal an enhancement of the protein SERS in fibroblast cells with added HNTs:Ag-NPs. The observed optical properties and SERS activity of the nanocomposites based on HNTs and plasmonic NPs are promising for their applications in biosensorics and biophotonics.

Different ground states of high-temperature superconductors reveal complex nature of magnetism. Here, Wang et al. report stripe and Néel spin fluctuations coexisting with non-magnetic nematic phase in FeSe, providing a viewpoint towards understanding the magnetism of cuprate and iron-based superconductors.

Electron doping is a powerful way to induce quantum phase transitions in materials and explore exotic states of matter. Here, Wen et al. present carefully-controlled potassium dosing in FeSe films and FeSe0.93S0.07bulk, which enhances superconductivity and induces other anomalous phases, revealing a complex phase diagram.

A series of five neutral mononuclear lanthanide complexes [Ln(HL)(L)] (Ln = Dy3+, Ho3+ Er3+ and Tb3+) with rigid pentadentate N3O2-type Schiff base ligands, H2LH (1-Dy, 3-Ho, 4-Er and 6-Tb complexes) or H2LOCH3, (2-Dy complex) has been synthesized by reaction of two equivalents of 1,1′-(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(ethan-1-yl-1-ylidene))dibenzohydrazine (H2LH, [H2DAPBH]) or 1,1′-(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(ethan-1-yl-1-ylidene))di-4-methoxybenzohydrazine (H2LOCH3, [H2DAPMBH]) with common lanthanide salts. The terbium complex [Tb(LH)(NO3)(H2O)2](DME)2 (5-Tb) with one ligand H2LH was also obtained and characterized. Single crystal X-ray analysis shows that complexes 1–4 have the composition {[Ln3+(HL)−(L)2−] solv} and similar molecular structures. In all the compounds, the central Ln3+ ion is chelated by two interlocked pentadentate ligands resulting in the coordination number of ten. Each lanthanide ion is coordinated by six nitrogen atoms and four oxygen atoms of the two N3O2 chelating groups forming together a distorted bicapped square antiprismatic polyhedron N6O4 with two capping pyridyl N atoms in the apical positions. The ac magnetic measurements reveal field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior of the two dysprosium complexes (with barriers of Ueff = 29 K at 800 Oe in 1-Dy and Ueff = 70 K at 300 Oe in 2-Dy) and erbium complex (Ueff = 87 K at 1500 Oe in 4-Er); complex 3-Ho with a non-Kramers Ho3+ ion is SMM-silent. Although 2-Dy differs from 1-Dy only by a distant methoxy-group in the phenyl ring of the ligand, their dynamic magnetic properties are markedly different. This feature can be due to the difference in long-range contributions (beyond the first coordination sphere) to the crystal-field (CF) potential of 4f electrons of Dy3+ ion that affects magnetic characteristics of the ground and excited CF states. Magnetic behavior and the electronic structure of Ln3+ ions of 1–4 complexes are analyzed in terms of CF calculations.